Help us deliver journalism that makes a difference in our community.

Perhaps most importantly, Malzahn believed the team "finished with energy." He wasn't the only one to feel that way, either.

"Our coordinators were pleased with the end result at the end of practice," Malzahn said.

Nearly halfway through his second spring as Auburn's coach, Malzahn said the biggest difference from last year, not surprisingly, is how much faster the team has been able to operate in practice. A year ago, the Tigers were in full installation mode of Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense and defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 scheme.

He pointed to the gains made by the offensive line under coach J.B. Grimes as an illustration of the team's progress as a whole.

"Coach Grimes, instead of coaching the first and second step, he's really focusing harder on the third and fourth steps," Malzahn said. "That's probably the best examples I can give you for all positions."

War Eagle Extra

Jordan D. Hill has covered high schools and athletes in the Bi-City area for the Ledger-Enquirer since January 2017. Prior to coming to Columbus, Hill was a freelancer for The Macon Telegraph and an intern for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A native of Jasper, Georgia, Hill is a graduate of Pickens High School and the University of Georgia.